New dilemma... ZZR600 or Thundercat??

[Dean-J]

OK.... So, having now ( supposedly) found an insurance company that doesnt want to drybum me into next year, i have a new dilemma.... i think i know which way im going with it, but just wanted to gain some extra input from you fine peoples of the planet BCF.

Im having to rule the ZX6R out for the timebeing as the insurance cost is still mega ( £1400 ) compared to the Thundercat (£400) and the Zed ( £600).

So, what are the Pro's/Con's of each bike, which would you choose, and why?

My preference is for the Thundercat, from what i've read, they are better suspended,braked, quicker and they defo look nicer.

Discuss!

[stonesie]

Sounds like you have already made your mind up, the Thundercat was on my short list too but the best thing you can do is try to test ride at least one of each, see which suits you best.

[Mr Nice Guy]

I had a cat for 2-3 years, great great bike.
Happily recommend one, just look into the 2nd gear issue.
____________________
Suzuki GSX-R750K4 ~ Mivv GP

[Dilyan]

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=237415&highlight=thundercat
https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=236894&highlight=thundercat

To name a couple.

tl;dr
Cons:
Second gear
Lights
Old
Basic dashboard
No centre stand

Pros:
Price, insurance
Spares
Comfort
Forgiving
Engine
Service
Accessories
Sports tourer
Mpg

HTH
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Current: 2007 VFR800; Ex: 2001 YZF600R Thundercat
Škoda Octavia (yes, a taxi driver)

[colin1]

I'd suggest you add triumph tt600 to that list.

You can get them for £1000, a bit more fun than a thundercat, although engine not so good at lower revs.
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[Dean-J]

Hadnt really considered the triumph to be fair, will do a quote later and see whats what... Plus finding one locally to have a sit/ride on is going to be difficult, even less of them about than a ThunderCat!

Forget that, done a quote and its £1k!

Think ill stick to the Tcat!

[weasley]

Another Cat vote here, for all the reasons you said plus what I said on the other threads. Seems the Cat is getting a lot of attention recently.
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Yamaha XJ600 | Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat | KTM 990 SMT | BMW F900XR TE

[Nick 50]

[Dean-J]

Speed four would be well out of my price range on both buying the bike and also Insurance. Very nice looking bikes though!

Thundercat is mega cheap to insure, and cheap as chips to buy.

My budget for buying will be circa £1500 dependant on what i let the SV go for. I wont add more than couple hundred to this.

Insurance will have to be below the £600 mark to keep the mrs/bank happy as we are moving house shorty so i cant be seen to be increasing my outgoings!

[junglejim]

[Kickstart]

Hi

The Thundercat uses a derivative of the old FZR600 engine. Expect a slightly raw engine while the ZZR is generally a smooth engine.

If you want the more raw feel go for the FZR, but for a smoother bike for longer distances I would say go for the ZZR. Or if you are short go for the ZZR and tall go for the FZR.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[junglejim]

[Dean-J]

Im 6'1", so i reckon the (slight) extra comfort over the ZZR, better looks ( sorry ZZR owners!) and the insurance saving are making it favourite by a fair margin here.

Going to look at one either tomo or Mon, so fingers crossed its as good as it looks, and the insurance company dont try and change tactics on me last minute as they did last time!

[Kickstart]

[jjdugen]

Had both this time last year. Side by side the Kwak was a much more solid bike with a useful cockpit, better wind / weather protection even a small storage compartment. Plastics were more robust.
I found the yam's engine to be revvy but hollow, the Kwak had a real belt of power. Yam was buzzy, Kwak silky smoth, ( both with a full service and carb balance). Basically, the Kwak walked all over the Yam in straight performance, a good friend and I swapped between he two for evaluation, at first he fancied the Yam, but after a days riding, he bought the Kwak off me.
The Yam is a lighter feeling machine and can be upgraded quite easily, the Kwak is limited to a better rear shock and some 'blade front calipers.
A ZZR will come in £3 - 400's cheaper, so negating any insurance difference.
IF the Internet is to be believed, they both 'suffer' second gear problems, although I have never had any failure with any of the many I have serviced or had through my hands. The Kwak is much easier to repair than the Yam if the worst does happen.
They are both better pure road bikes than the latest offerings.
Just remember, condition, condition, condition.
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The CBR900RR has been sold. Aprilia Falco worms its way into my heart.
Try Soi 23 on Amazon for a good read.... Self promotion? Moi?

[Bike Bunker]

first bike? zxr400

FTW


HTH

[stonesie]

[colin1]

[dangerousdave]

Had a ZZR600 for a while and have ridden a t"cat

go for the T"cat its a better ride IMO
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1988 Kawasaki KMX 200

Previous: Yamaha YZF1000, ZZR600, KMX200, DT50, KX80, CG125, PF50

[Dean-J]

Bought a Thundercat on Monday

Not a bad word to say about it. Awesome bit of kit!

[UnspeedySam]

[Dean-J]

theres a couple of pics in this section, Titled "got myself a new set of wheels"

[UnspeedySam]

Haha I saw that thread a few days ago but didn't reply. Reading threads in the wrong order is confusing! Enjoy! Maybe we can meet up for a ride when the weather gets better...I'm only in Southampton. Loomies?
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Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88

[Dean-J]

What you mean when the weather gets better?? Its perfect just as it is!!

We're out tomorrow in fact if you fancy it?

[UnspeedySam]